United States Patent [19]
`Boyd
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`US005490295A “
`[11] Patent Number:
`5,490,295
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Feb. 13, 1996
`
`[54] WATER MATTRESS AND AIR MATTRESS
`CONSTRUCTION
`[76] Inventor: Dennis Boyd, 14457 Rouge River,
`Chesterfield, Mo. 63017
`
`5,086,528 2/1992 Miller .......................................... 5/451
`5,222,262 6/1993 Boyd ........................................... 5/451
`Primary Examiner—Michael F. Trettel
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Polster, Lieder, Woodruff & Luc
`chesi
`
`[56]
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 228,295
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`[22] Filed:
`Apr. 15, 1994
`A water mattress includes a closeable vinyl envelope for
`receiving water, the vinyl envelope having a top, a bottom,
`[51] Int. Cl* ~~~~ A47C 27/08
`and a plurality of sides, the sides being disposed in opposing
`[52] U.S. Cl. … 5/451; 5/457
`pairs. A plurality of double-walled members extend from the
`[58] Field of Search ................................ 5/450, 451, 457,
`top to the bottom of the envelope inside the cavity. Each
`5/458, 449
`double-walled member has a top connecting web extending
`across the top thereof and two walls depending from the
`connecting web, the connecting web being secured to the top
`of the envelope. Each double-walled member is also secured
`to the bottom of the envelope and extends longitudinally
`substantially from one side of the envelope to the opposing
`side of the envelope. It is preferred that each double walled
`member wall include an intermediate elastic section so that
`each of the double walls may stretch to alimited extent when
`force is applied thereto by water in the mattress. A pneu
`matic mattress of similar construction is also disclosed.
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,522,123 7/1970 Marchant ................................ 5/458 X
`3,705,429 12/1972 Nail ............................................. 5/457
`4,280,235 7/1981 Kowal ......................................... 5/458
`4,328,599 5/1982 Mollura .......
`5/458 X
`4,329,748 5/1982 Finkelstein ..
`.... 5/451
`4,399,575 8/1983 Hall .........
`... 5/450
`4,551,873 11/1985 Hall .....
`... 5/450
`4,751,757 6/1988 Moreno ...............
`... 5/450
`4,905,331
`3/1990 Hochschild, III ........................... 5/450
`4,965,899 10/1990 Sekido et al. ........................... 5/457 X
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`12 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
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`INTEX EXHIBIT 2016, Pg. 1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 13, 1996
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 13, 1996
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`Sheet 2 of 3
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 13, 1996
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`5,490,295
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`1
`WATER MATTRESS AND AIR MATTRESS
`CONSTRUCTION
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`2
`double-walled member is also secured to the bottom of the
`envelope and extends longitudinally substantially from one
`side of the envelope to the opposing side of the envelope.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to waterbed mattresses and to
`pneumatic mattresses, and more particularly to an improved
`interior construction of same.
`Waterbed mattresses are known to provide many advan
`tages in terms of comfort and restfulness. More recently,
`improved pneumatic mattresses have also been available
`with some of the comfort advantages of waterbed mat
`tresses. These various mattresses, however, could be
`improved. For example, many such mattresses consist of a
`vinyl envelope with the interior cavity thereof substantially
`open. Such mattresses are subject to considerable bowing
`since the top and bottom of the mattress are connected
`together only at the sides of the mattress. In addition,
`undesirable wave action can result with such mattresses
`when a user moves about on the mattress.
`Various damping mechanisms have been proposed to deal
`with the wave action problem, but these can be fairly
`complex and expensive. Similarly, at least one mattress has
`been designed with a plurality of extruded plastic walls
`extending from the top to the bottom of the mattress, but that
`design can be improved as well. For example, although the
`interior wall construction does tend to prevent bowing, the
`seams of these individual walls where they are connected to
`the top and bottom of the mattress tend to separate because
`of the forces involved. In addition, the anti-bowing walls are
`made of a fairly rigid material which tends to be uncom
`fortable to the user and result in a mattress which is rigidly
`constrained in terms of the maximum permissible bowing.
`Applied forces which attempt to exceed the maximum
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`bowing allowed by the interior anti-bowing walls place
`extreme stress on the seams.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`Among the various objects and features of the present
`invention may be noted the provision of an improved
`mattress construction.
`Another object is the provision of such a mattress with
`better sealing characteristics.
`A third object is the provision of such a mattress which
`reduces stress on the interior seams of the mattress.
`A fourth object is the provision of such a mattress with
`improved comfort.
`A fifth object is the provision of such a mattress with
`reduced motion.
`A sixth object is the provision of such a mattress which
`not only satisfactorily addressing the problem of bowing but
`also overcomes the problems inherent when excessive forces
`are applied to the interior of the mattress.
`Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in
`part pointed out hereinafter.
`Briefly, a mattress of the present invention includes a
`closeable vinyl envelope having a top, a bottom, and a
`60
`plurality of sides, the sides being disposed in opposing pairs.
`The mattress also includes at least one double-walled mem
`ber extending from the top to the bottom of the envelope
`inside the cavity. The double-walled member has a top
`connecting web extending across the top thereof and two
`walls depending from the top connecting web. The top
`connecting web is secured to the top of the envelope. The
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mattress of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale of a
`portion of the mattress of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing an alternative
`embodiment;
`FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing another
`alternative embodiment;
`FIG. 5 is a view showing the effect of the application of
`force to the top of the mattress using the embodiment of FIG.
`3;
`FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a further
`embodiment;
`FIG. 7 is a side view of the interior of one embodiment of
`the mattress of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating another
`embodiment;
`FIG. 9 is a top view of an anti-bowing member used in the
`mattress of FIG. 1; and
`FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing yet another
`embodiment.
`Similar reference characters indicate similar
`throughout the several views of the drawings.
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`parts
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`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`Turning now to the drawings, a mattress 11 of the present
`invention is particularly suitable for use as a water mattress
`or as a pneumatic mattress. For convenience, it will be
`described as a water mattress, although those skilled in the
`art will understand the minor modifications necessary to use
`the mattress as a pneumatic mattress. Mattress 11 includes a
`conventional closeable vinyl envelope 13 defining a cavity
`for receiving water through a suitable valve 15. Envelope 13
`has a top 17, a bottom 19, and a plurality of sides 21, the
`sides being disposed in opposing pairs. All this construction
`is, of course, conventional.
`Mattress 11 also includes a plurality of double-walled
`anti-bowing members 23 extending from the top to the
`bottom of the envelope inside the cavity. Although two such
`anti-bowing members are shown, as few as one or as many
`as desired could be used. For example, anti-bowing mem
`bers could be spaced at a convenience spacing such as seven
`inches center-to-center throughout the mattress. This spac
`ing is significantly larger than the width of the anti-bowing
`members, which may measure only one inch (for example)
`from side to side. It is preferred that the anti-bowing
`members be disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis
`of mattress 11 as shown in FIG. 1 for purposes of added
`comfort and to reduce wave motion in the mattress, and that
`they extend (along the members’ longitudinal axes) substan
`tially from one side of the mattress to the other (also as
`shown in FIG. 1).
`Anti-bowing member 23 may have various constructions,
`as discussed hereinafter, but it is preferred to have a double
`wall. For example, in its simplest form (illustrated in FIG.2)
`anti-bowing member consists of a vinyl sheet of material
`having two downwardly depending walls 25, a top connect
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`ing web 27 suitably secured to mattress top 17 by heat
`sealing or the like, and a bottom connecting web 29, suitably
`secured to mattress bottom 19 by heat sealing or the like.
`The top and bottom connecting webs are, as shown, approxi
`mately the same size. The use of the same vinyl material to
`form anti-bowing members 23 as make up top 17 and bottom
`19 of the envelope has several advantages. For example, a
`superior dielectric seal can be achieved between the mem
`bers and the envelope since the materials are identical. In
`addition, the fact that manufacturers are accustomed to
`working with such vinyl provides added manufacturing
`advantages. Moreover, the double wall construction with the
`connecting webs reduces the seam stress on each vertical
`wall.
`As can be seen from FIG. 2, top connecting web 4 defines
`the spacing between walls 25. That spacing is a matter of
`choice, but preferably is approximately one inch.
`Although the construction of anti-bowing member 23
`shown in FIG. 2 is the simplest it is not the only possible
`construction or even, for some applications, the best. For
`example, turning to FIG. 3, vinyl top connecting web 27 in
`the embodiment labelled 23A has a pair of depending walls
`25A, while bottom connecting web 29 has a pair of
`upwardly depending walls 25B. In the embodiment of FIG.
`2, of course, these walls 25A and 25B are integral, but in the
`embodiment of FIG. 3 they are connected together by an
`intermediate member 31, consisting of a pair of elastic fabric
`panels 33. Elastic fabric panels 33 are connected to upper
`walls 25A and lower walls 25B in a suitable manner such as
`stitching indicated at 37. An alternative to this method of
`attachment is shown in FIG. 4 in which a set of vinyl caps
`39 are stitched to elastic panel 33 as shown and the caps are
`then heat sealed to the upper walls 25A and lower walls 25B
`Elastic panels 33 are made of any suitable material
`capable of withstanding the environment in a waterbed. For
`example, latex rubber based elastic fabrics such as are used
`in ace bandages are known to stand up well to water and
`temperature. In addition, stretch fabrics using a synthetic
`rubber such as lycra (from DuPont), are used in swimwear
`and are suitable for use in the present invention.
`As shown in FIG. 5, when excess pressure forces the top
`17 of envelope 13 upwardly, anti-bowing member 31
`stretches to accommodate the force, while vinyl walls 25A
`and 25B remain the same relative length. This reduces the
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`amount of force that would otherwise be applied to the heat
`seams connecting the member 23A to the top and bottom of
`the envelope, thereby protecting the seams.
`Another alternative construction of anti-bowing member
`23 is labelled 23C in FIG. 6. In this embodiment the
`intermediate elastic layer is formed of a single sheet 31
`rather than a pair of walls 31. The upper walls 25A and lower
`walls 25B are stitched to sheet 31 in this embodiment as
`shown. Other suitable means of connection could also be
`used.
`No matter what the construction of anti-bowing member
`23, it is preferred that gaps, such as the rectangular gap 41
`shown in FIG. 7 or the circular gap 43 shown in FIG. 8, or
`the larger circular gap 45 shown in phantom in FIG. 8 be
`provided to permit some fluid to flow between the various
`sections of the mattress defined by members 23. This
`facilitates filling of the mattress and prevents burping. In the
`example shown in FIG. 7, the upper walls 25A and the lower
`walls 25B extend substantially the entire width of the
`mattress, while the flexible walls 33 have periodic gaps. In
`the example shown in FIG. 8, the two walls of the member
`23 have corresponding holes therethrough. Various combi
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`nations of gaps and other holes in members 23 could, of
`course, be used as desired.
`It is preferred as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, that the end of
`each connecting member be arched as shown, and (as shown
`in FIG. 9) that the ends of the connecting members be
`rounded on their tops.
`Turning to FIG. 10, it can be seen that elastic sheet 31,
`labelled 31C in FIG. 10, can be selected to have a greater
`length than that shown in previous figures so that it extends
`substantially from the top to the bottom of the mattress
`envelope. The top and bottom of elastic sheet or member
`31C are captured by suitable stitching 37 in vinyl caps 39
`and the vinyl caps are in turn suitably secured as by heat
`sealing to the top and bottom of the mattress.
`In view of the above, it will be seen that the various
`objects and features of the present invention are achieved
`and other advantageous results obtained. Numerous varia
`tions of the present invention are contemplated, so that the
`embodiments described herein are intended to be illustrative
`only and not to be taken in a limiting sense.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A water mattress comprising;
`a closeable vinyl envelope defining a cavity for receiving
`water, said vinyl envelope having a top, a bottom, and
`a plurality of sides, the sides being disposed in oppos
`ing pairs;
`at least one double-walled member extending from the top
`to the bottom of the envelope inside the cavity, said
`double-walled member having a top connecting web
`extending across the top thereof and two walls depend
`ing from said connecting web, said connecting web
`being secured to the top of the envelope, said double
`walled member also being secured to the bottom of the
`envelope and extending longitudinally substantially
`from one side of the envelope to the opposing side of
`the envelope; said double-walled member also includ
`ing a bottom connecting web and two walls extending
`upwardly from the bottom connecting web, the bottom
`connecting web being secured to the bottom of the
`envelope;
`wherein the two walls depending from the top connecting
`web are connected to the two walls extending upwardly
`from the bottom connecting web by a separate inter
`mediate member.
`2. The water mattress as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
`separate intermediate member is formed of an stretchable,
`elastic material.
`3. The water mattress as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
`separate intermediate member is single-walled.
`4. The water mattress as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
`separate intermediate member is double-walled such that
`each wall depending from the top connecting web is con
`nected to a corresponding wall extending upwardly from the
`bottom connecting web by a corresponding wall of the
`separate intermediate member.
`5. The water mattress as set forth in claim 4 wherein each
`wall of the separate intermediate member is connected to its
`corresponding wall depending from the top connecting web
`and to its corresponding wall extending upwardly from the
`bottom connecting web by suitable stitching.
`6. The water mattress as set forth in claim 1 wherein the
`separate intermediate member is formed from a rubberized
`material.
`7. A pneumatic mattress comprising:
`a closeable vinyl envelope for receiving air for inflation of
`the mattress, said vinyl envelope having a top, a
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`5
`bottom, and a plurality of sides, the sides being dis
`posed in opposing pairs;
`at least one double-walled member extending from the top
`to the bottom of the envelope inside the cavity, said
`double-walled member having a top connecting web
`extending across the top thereof and two walls depend
`ing from said connecting web, said connecting web
`being secured to the top of the envelope, said double
`walled member also being secured to the bottom of the
`envelope and extending longitudinally substantially
`from one side of the envelope to the opposing side of
`the envelope; said double walled member also includ
`ing a bottom connecting web and two walls extending
`upwardly from the bottom connecting web, the bottom
`connecting web being secured to the bottom of the
`envelope;
`wherein the two walls depending from the top connecting
`web are connected to the two walls extending upwardly
`from the bottom connecting web by a separate inter
`mediate member.
`8. The pneumatic mattress as set forth in claim 7 wherein
`the separate intermediate member is formed of an stretch
`able, elastic material.
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`9. The pneumatic mattress as set forth in claim 7 wherein
`the separate intermediate member is single-walled.
`10. The pneumatic mattress as set forth in claim 7 wherein
`the separate intermediate member is double-walled such that
`each wall depending from the top connecting web is con
`nected to a corresponding wall extending upwardly from the
`bottom connecting web by a corresponding wall of the
`separate intermediate member.
`11. The pneumatic mattress as set forth in claim 10
`wherein each wall of the separate intermediate member is
`connected to its corresponding wall depending from the top
`connecting web and to its corresponding wall extending
`upwardly from the bottom connecting web by suitable
`Stitching.
`12. The pneumatic mattress as set forth in claim 7 wherein
`the separate intermediate member is formed from a rubber
`ized material.
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`INTEX EXHIBIT 2016, Pg. 7
`Bestway v. Intex; PGR2017-00003
`
`